Tried & True: Nomadix Towel

Towels can be overlooked adventure necessities. From the ocean to a waterfall, to spontaneous meet-ups with friends and sporadic downpours, it is a good idea to have a towel around. But not all towels are created equal. Nomadix is an eco-friendly towel made from recycled plastic bottles that claims to be versatile and ready for adventure so that we can "Own less. Do more." So we put it to the test.

We took the towel to an old trolley car, through a field of sunflowers, and into the Iao Valley. The texture is different from any towel I've used, but I've grown to like its unique grip that serves well for a quick yoga session on the road. It also kept us sheltered from the sun and the rain. Lest you be skeptical about its absorbency, I assure you it checks that box too. When our hike in the Iao Valley turned into a quick dip, it also dried us off in style. I have a feeling this towel has many an adventure ahead of it.

Don't let the "Made in China" label turn you off. Nomadix actually chooses to work with a Chinese factory in order to set a new standard for positive environmental change in manufacturing and makes sure that their workers are treated fairly. We're quite happy about that as well.

So excited were we about this towel that we exchanged a few words with Nomadix Co-Owner Chace Petersen to hear a bit more about the story behind it.

What sparked the idea to create Nomadix?

We were living in Southern California doing yoga, surfing, taking weekend trips to Mexico, the Sierras or Palm Springs. We recognized a need for a towel in any of those situations but couldn’t find a towel that fit the needs of all the activities. In fact, at the time, there weren't any lifestyle towel brands, so we decided to make our own.

Can you explain what your ethos, “Own less. Do more,” means to you?

Owning too much stuff can weigh you down mentally and physically. It can be stressful storing all that [things] you buy. But that’s a deeper conversation for another time. That slogan simply means, our towel is versatile. It’s one towel that performs the task of three. I keep mine in the back of my car for whatever adventure comes my way. I can go to yoga, go for a swim, lay out on the beach, or maybe I get a little muddy after a trail run and I’ve got something to clean off before I get in my car. I’m always ready for whatever opportunity crosses my path.

It’s important to take care of our planet and the people in it. How is Nomadix supporting a mindset of sustainability?

The most sustainable thing you can do is own products that serve more than one purpose. Versatility is great for the planet. Beyond that, we make all of our towel from certified recycled plastic bottles. You’ll see other companies make a similar claim about the use of plastic bottles in their material. There’s a rumor going around that some of those companies are using brand new plastic bottles right off the assembly line to make material from plastic bottles. We’re very proud to use Global Recycle Standard certified post consumer plastic bottles in our material.

Where are some of the places these versatile towels have been?

Oh gosh, its hard to say. These towels have been on every continent including Antarctica. When we first launched the company, we shipped product to over 36 different countries. There's no telling how far these towels have traveled since then. We get pictures sent to us from all over the world. The founders of the company alone have taken them to almost every country in the Americas. I love when people send in their photos. Whether it’s a far off beach on a desert island or from a refugio high in the Himalayas or just a quick day hike to their favorite high alpine lake, it makes me happy to see people using something we’ve made for exactly what it was intended for.

What’s in the future for Nomadix?

We’ve got a few things in the works but I hesitate to share at this stage. Lets just say we’ve got our heads down and we’re working day and night to take Nomadix to the next level.

Thank you to Nomadix for providing me with a free towel to photograph and review.

Maddie Buresh

Maddie Buresh is a writer and photographer with an unquenchable desire to explore the great outdoors, from the ocean to the mountains. She finds joy in trying new things, living in community, and crafting stories that encourage people to go outside, have adventures, and enjoy this big, beautiful world.